The Introduction

“I’ve spent hundreds of sunrises on the beaches of 30A and Florida’s Emerald Coast, but none of them were as emotional as this one.

“A beautiful whitetail doe emerged from the dunes for what I thought was a simple sip of water from a coastal dune lake. However, I was completely unaware that she was actually determining if I was worthy for the presence of her fawns.

“After retreating to the dunes—and after I thought an already-special encounter had concluded—this mother emerged again, first with this fawn, and eventually a second fawn followed. 

“I generally refrain from “humanizing” wild animals and their behavior, there was no denying in my mind that this doe was absolutely introducing me to her fawns. The way she stepped out, behind her fawn instead of between me and her child, and paused while the fawn studied me… It all was so powerful and emotional.

“While I doubt that I was the first human ever seen by this fawn, she certainly acted as if I was. She stood motionless for several minutes, studying every detail of me. Eventually, further exemplifying her trust for me, the mother left for the lake, literally leaving her young fawn with me. 

“This just doesn’t happen.

“Eventually the fawn caught up with her sibling and mother, and enjoyed fresh water from the dune lake. The entire encounter was so memorable and beautiful, but this initial introduction will forever be one of my favorite moments in nature of my lifetime.”